Ceará state

Geography

Ceará has an area of 148,016 square kilometres (57,149 sq mi). It is bounded on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba, on the south by Pernambuco state, and on the west by Piauí.

Ceará has a varied environment, with mangroves, caatinga, jungle, scrubland and tropical forest. The higher ranges intercept considerable moisture from the prevailing trade winds, and their flanks and valleys are covered with a tropical forest which is typical of the region, gathering species from tropical forests, caatinga and cerrado.

The beaches of the state is a major tourist attraction. Ceará has several famous beaches such as Canoa Quebrada, Jericoacoara, Morro Branco, Taíba and Flexeiras. The beaches are divided into two groups (in relation to the capital Fortaleza): Sunset Coast (Costa do Sol poente) and Sunrise Coast (Costa do Sol nascente)

Climate

The climate of Ceará is hot almost all year. The temperature in the state varies from 22 to 36 °C (72 to 97 °F). The coast is hot and humid, tempered by the cool trade winds; in the more elevated, semi-arid regions it is very hot and dry (often above 22 °C (72 °F), but seldom above 30 °C (86 °F)), although the nights are cool. The year is divided into a rainy and dry season, the rains beginning in January to March and lasting until June. The dry season, July to December, is sometimes broken by slight showers in September and October, but these are of slight importance.

Largest Cities

1 Fortaleza – Population 2 210.282

2 Caucaia – Population 324 .854

3 Juazeiro do Norte – Population 253 .841

Culture

Ceará, like most of Brazil, was once the home of Indians, and their legacy (in names of places, in food, in vocabulary, in songs and dances) is still visible. Ceará was settled by the Portuguese, and reminiscences of their culture are still present in the architecture of old buildings and in the exhibitions of Museums.
The Jesuits, the religious and educational arm of the Portuguese King, had also a strong presence in Ceará and left their traces. Even after the Jesuits left, the population cultivated a strong religiosity, which shows in several churches and pilgrimages.

International airport

The Pinto Martins International Airport is situated in Fortaleza. The passenger terminal is air conditioned and has four levels. The basement level has parking for 1,000 cars as well as automatic teller machines and a stop for regular city buses.